Sukta 36
तपनो अस्मि पिशाचानां व्याघ्रो गोमतामिव । श्वानः सिंहमिव दृष्ट्वा ते न विन्दन्ते न्यञ्चनम्
tápanó asmi piśācā́nāṁ vyā́ghro gómatām iva | śvā́naḥ síṁham iva dṛṣṭvā́ té ná vindante nyàñcanám ||
A scorcher am I of Piśācas—tiger-like among the cattle-rich. As dogs, when they behold a lion, so they find no lurking-place nor entry.
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (not specified in excerpt)
Devata: Mantra-persona (tapaná) as protective force; adversaries are Piśācas
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh (probable)
{"primary_rasa":"raudra","secondary_rasa":"vira","emotional_arc":"From self-declaration of scorching power → apex-predator stance → enemies panic and lose access.","listener_experience":"A surge of protective ferocity; fear collapses into authority.","intensity":8}